CMSS Collaborates to Launch ACGME Equity Matters

NEWS RELEASE

CMSS Collaborates to Launch ACGME Equity Matters^TM Learning Communities to Drive Measurable Improvements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine

Initiative Will Promote Health Equity and Anti-Racism Practices and Policies Across Medical Training and Practice

Chicago, IL (July 28, 2021) —

In support of its comprehensive strategic initiative focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) is proud to announce its partnership with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to launch ACGME Equity Matters^TM.

ACGME Equity Matters is a new initiative that introduces a framework for continuous learning and process improvement in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism practices. The initiative aims to drive change within graduate medical education (GME) by increasing physician workforce diversity and building safe and inclusive learning environments while promoting health equity by addressing racial disparities in health care and overall population health.

To make significant progress, those charged with physician training and ongoing education for physicians must commit to advance advancing equity and counter racism across the full continuum. In this collaborative effort, the ACGME and CMSS will drive measurable improvements in equity by working to increase physician workforce diversity and create clinical and learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and equitable.

CMSS and the Organization of Program Director Associations (OPDA), a convened group of CMSS, launched their participation in the program this week with the convening of two Learning Communities that will embark on an 18-month engagement cycle. This unique partnership between CMSS, OPDA, and the ACGME will support DEI and anti-racist practices and policies across the full continuum of physician training to physicians in practice. Core teams from CMSS and OPDA members will include an elected leader to champion the initiative and senior executive leaders who will be accountable for implementing the policy and practice changes. The program will offer a phased curriculum, tools, and skills training which will provide lessons to help drive implementation of innovative interventions, practices, policies, and data strategies that support DEI and anti-racism.

Forty-two organizations including 31 CMSS Member Specialty Societies and 11 Program Director Associations will be participating in the inaugural 18-month cohort of the learning communities. Participating societies include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Radiology, who in many cases are participating alongside their partner Program Director Associations, such as the Association of Pediatric Program Directors. Future cohorts will permit additional member organizations to join the learning communities. CMSS and the ACGME are committed to sharing learnings with the broader medical community.

“We are committed to the significant and sustained efforts that will be needed to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine and counter structural racism,” said Helen Burstin, MD, MPH, MACP, CEO of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. “Specialty societies and program director associations committed to this partnership to achieve actionable recommendations and real results.”

CMSS, a coalition of 45 specialty societies, represents more than 800,000 physicians across the field of medicine that support education, science, and scholarship. OPDA, convened by CMSS, is dedicated to improving the quality of resident education and promoting communication and cooperation between residency programs to achieve excellence in graduate medical education across all specialties in medicine. The ACGME accredits Sponsoring Institutions and residency and fellowship programs, confers recognition on additional program formats or components, and dedicates resources to initiatives addressing areas of import in graduate medical education.

“I am proud of the collaborations and conversations that occurred to bring about this innovative and important initiative that we believe will help move the needle across medical education and health care. These challenging times have shone an even brighter light on the need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in learning environments where physicians train, and beyond,” said Bonnie Simpson Mason, MD, FAAOS, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, ACGME.

CMSS Collaborates to Launch ACGME Equity MattersTM Learning Communities to Drive Measurable Improvements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine

Initiative Will Promote Health Equity and Anti-Racism Practices and Policies Across Medical Training and Practice

CMSS Collaborates to Launch ACGME Equity Matters^TM Learning Communities to Drive Measurable Improvements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine